STORIES FROM THE WAR HOSPITAL

A book of true stories from Beckett Park military hospital in Headingley, Leeds, during the First World War

BOOK CONTENTS

"Stories from the War Hospital" gives a fascinating insight into the extraordinary lives and loves of those who worked at what was officially named the 2nd Northern General Hospital during the First World War. Based at Beckett Park in Headingley, Leeds, this large military hospital played a key part in the struggle against death, disease and disability throughout its wartime history.

Click image to see a list of chapters in "Stories from the War Hospital"

Its story has now been told in compelling detail by Leeds author Richard Wilcocks. Using material gathered from interviews with descendants, together with research in local and national archives, Richard has compiled a comprehensive account of the patients, doctors, surgeons, nurses, volunteers and entertainers who shaped the hospital's history, richly illustrated with newly-discovered photographs.

For a flavour of the wartime stories which the book portrays, synopses of several chapters are published on this web site, together with snapshots of some of the pages:

At the start of the First World War in 1914, the 2nd Northern General Hospital was established at Beckett Park, Leeds, the site of the City of Leeds Training College. Trainee teachers were replaced by wounded soldiers, nurses, doctors, surgeons and volunteers in a military hospital which remained for the duration of the war and beyond.

The inspiring stories of courage and determination as well as wartime romance and entertainment are told in this fascinating and thought-provoking book by Richard Wilcocks.

“Through painstaking interviews, dedicated detective work and detailed research, Richard Wilcocks has performed an amazing feat of recreating the lives lived at the Second Northern General Hospital at Beckett Park in Headingley during the First World War. A superb memento for all to treasure.”

Rebecca Fraser, author of The Story of Britain: A Narrative History

Full of rich original detail - by turns heart-breaking, fascinating and even funny. The format is useful and clear for both the historian and the general reader. It captures the sense and stories of a remarkable place that might otherwise have been lost. An excellent contribution to the Centenary commemorations."